An Ounce of Prevention

Jonathan shook his head. "It says it's only about a thirty minute drive from here. Could we go see it?"

Alex shrugged at Carmen. "It would be something different to look at than flat land that goes on and on."

When the waitress brought their lunch she saw the open flyer. "Are you going to Palo Duro Canyon?"

Jonathan's nod was enthusiastic. "Have you been there?"

"Oh yes. Many times. It's beautiful. You should try the zip line."

When she described hanging from a line on a harness and crossing the canyon, Carmen felt nauseated.

Alex looked at her and chuckled. "Carmen is afraid of heights. This probably isn't the best subject while we're eating." After the waitress left, Alex looked at Carmen. "Would you like me to do the driving?"

Carmen nodded. "That would probably be a good idea. I don't think you would like me driving with my hands over my eyes."

Destiny giggled. "How could you drive if you didn't have your hands on the steering wheel?"

Alex winked at Destiny. "I think that was her point."

"I could drive," Jonathan offered.

Alex looked at him and lifted a brow. "You do well enough on the farm, but I don't think Carmen would feel any better with a learner at the wheel."

Jonathan had a learner's permit, but an adult had to be in the vehicle with him. Carmen was usually that adult. She had no doubt he had the skill to maneuver the turns, but he lacked the experience. Alex was right. She would feel much better knowing an experienced driver was at the wheel.

After lunch, Carmen read the flyer and studied the map while Alex drove. The land was flat, with only the indication of a river bed or something cutting through it, but when they got to the canyon, they were all astounded. Carmen stared at the panoramic scenery.

"It's beautiful!"

They stopped at an overview and studied the canyon. Water and wind had carved towers and buttes that were layered with red and white. There were caves and sod structures. Deep green vegetation contrasted attractively with the red soil. The canyon was huge.

Carmen looked up at Alex, who was standing beside her holding Matthew. "I love it!"

He chuckled. "It is beautiful. Hard to believe this is in the middle of flat land." He frowned. "But then, it isn't flat land, is it? I wonder how much we have already missed."

He was right. How much could they see barreling down the interstate at seventy miles an hour? It looked like there was nothing to see but flat grassland. She had researched so much about their destination and so little about the route to it. They were fortunate that Jonathan had taken the initiative to discover what was around them. It was too late to research in other ways, but they could certainly make the most of the tourist stops.